S C Chandrahasan is the son of Samuvel Selvnayagam, a Tamil leader who was known as the Mahatma Gandhi of Sri Lanka. After the island-nation's ethnic conflict began in 1983, Chandrahasan founded the Organisation For Eelam Refugees' Rehabilitation.
OFERR works in Sri Lanka and India, and has offices in all the 104 refugee camps in Tamil Nadu. It also works in the north and east of Sri Lanka, two regions badly affected in the conflict.
The soft-spoken leader slams both the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam for the mess in the island state.
He spoke at length to rediff.com's Special Correspondent A Ganesh Nadar.
http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/mar/24inter.htm
Monday, March 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
THE MACKENZIE INSTITUTE
Terrorism and Transnational Crime:
The Case of the LTTE
by John Thompson
Paper to the Centre for Conflict Studies Fall Seminar, October 3-4, 2003
Introduction
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are a fascinating and complex group; and until the 9-11 attacks, I thought them the most dangerous group in the world. This wasnÌt because of lethal intentions, al Qaeda had earlier demonstrated its primacy in this regard, but rather because of the sophistication and organization of their political fronts and fundraising networks.
[http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2003/terror100403.htm ]
The Case of the LTTE
by John Thompson
Paper to the Centre for Conflict Studies Fall Seminar, October 3-4, 2003
Introduction
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are a fascinating and complex group; and until the 9-11 attacks, I thought them the most dangerous group in the world. This wasnÌt because of lethal intentions, al Qaeda had earlier demonstrated its primacy in this regard, but rather because of the sophistication and organization of their political fronts and fundraising networks.
[http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2003/terror100403.htm ]
FROM THE US STATE DEPT'S COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORIM
Sri Lanka
The 2002 cease-fire between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, continued to erode amidst numerous violations and escalating military engagement between the LTTE and government security forces. The Sri Lankan Army remained deployed across the country to fight the insurgency. The paramilitary Special Task Force (STF) police were deployed both in the east and in strategic locations in the west.
The LTTE conducted a campaign of targeted assassinations against political and military opponents. This included the April assassination attempt of Sri Lanka Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka and the assassination of the Army Third-in-Command; the August 12 assassination of the Government of Sri Lanka's Secretariat for the Coordination of the Peace Process, Deputy Director Keteshwaran Loganathan; and the December 1 suicide bomber's attempt on the life of Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, the President's brother. The Karuna faction, a dissident faction of the LTTE, conducted its own assassination campaign against the LTTE and pro-LTTE civilians in the east.
Following the assassination of Foreign Minister Kadirgamar in August 2005, the government enacted emergency regulations giving arrest power to members of the armed forces, who were required to turn suspects over to the police within 24 hours. Individuals arrested under the emergency regulations may be detained for up to one year. Under these regulations, 148 persons were arrested; most have already been released. A revised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), enacted in December, strengthened these powers.
The LTTE financed itself with contributions from the Tamil Diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australia, and by imposing local "taxes" on businesses operating in the areas of Sri Lanka under its control. Using this money, LTTE weapons were purchased on the international black market or captured from the Sri Lankan Army. Many LTTE innovations, such as explosive belts, vests, and bras, using female suicide bombers, and waterborne suicide attacks against ships, have been copied by other terrorist groups.
In general, the LTTE did not target U.S. citizens or assets, limiting attacks to Sri Lankan security forces, political figures, civilians, and businesses. However, two suicide bomb attacks on VIP motorcades in Colombo occurred within half a mile of the U.S. embassy on roads frequently traveled by Embassy employees.
Sri Lankan cooperation with the FBI has resulted in arrests of persons charged with material support to terrorist groups. The Sri Lankan government cooperated with U.S. efforts to track terrorist financing, although no assets were identified. The United States also provided training for relevant Sri Lankan government agencies and the banking sector. The government cooperated with the United States to implement both the Container Security Initiative and the Megaports program at the port of Colombo.
[http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2006/82734.htm]
The 2002 cease-fire between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, continued to erode amidst numerous violations and escalating military engagement between the LTTE and government security forces. The Sri Lankan Army remained deployed across the country to fight the insurgency. The paramilitary Special Task Force (STF) police were deployed both in the east and in strategic locations in the west.
The LTTE conducted a campaign of targeted assassinations against political and military opponents. This included the April assassination attempt of Sri Lanka Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka and the assassination of the Army Third-in-Command; the August 12 assassination of the Government of Sri Lanka's Secretariat for the Coordination of the Peace Process, Deputy Director Keteshwaran Loganathan; and the December 1 suicide bomber's attempt on the life of Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, the President's brother. The Karuna faction, a dissident faction of the LTTE, conducted its own assassination campaign against the LTTE and pro-LTTE civilians in the east.
Following the assassination of Foreign Minister Kadirgamar in August 2005, the government enacted emergency regulations giving arrest power to members of the armed forces, who were required to turn suspects over to the police within 24 hours. Individuals arrested under the emergency regulations may be detained for up to one year. Under these regulations, 148 persons were arrested; most have already been released. A revised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), enacted in December, strengthened these powers.
The LTTE financed itself with contributions from the Tamil Diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australia, and by imposing local "taxes" on businesses operating in the areas of Sri Lanka under its control. Using this money, LTTE weapons were purchased on the international black market or captured from the Sri Lankan Army. Many LTTE innovations, such as explosive belts, vests, and bras, using female suicide bombers, and waterborne suicide attacks against ships, have been copied by other terrorist groups.
In general, the LTTE did not target U.S. citizens or assets, limiting attacks to Sri Lankan security forces, political figures, civilians, and businesses. However, two suicide bomb attacks on VIP motorcades in Colombo occurred within half a mile of the U.S. embassy on roads frequently traveled by Embassy employees.
Sri Lankan cooperation with the FBI has resulted in arrests of persons charged with material support to terrorist groups. The Sri Lankan government cooperated with U.S. efforts to track terrorist financing, although no assets were identified. The United States also provided training for relevant Sri Lankan government agencies and the banking sector. The government cooperated with the United States to implement both the Container Security Initiative and the Megaports program at the port of Colombo.
[http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2006/82734.htm]
TAMIL TIGERS BEGGING FOR FOOD
A young tamil Tiger has been arrested when he approached a civillian residence in the Buddhangala area, gesturing for food. Dressed in typical LTTE camoflage and carrying a T-56 weapon and the usual LTTE paraphanelia, the youth obviously had been without food for a few days and had finally approached the house, upon which he had been arrested and handed over to the police.
Sri Lankans being Sri Lankan, will still treat this guy as a human being should be treated. If the roles had reversed, the outcome would certainly have been different.
Sri Lankans being Sri Lankan, will still treat this guy as a human being should be treated. If the roles had reversed, the outcome would certainly have been different.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A letter home...from a Tamil Tiger
This is a lamentation of a female Tiger cadre Jenny, who died in a recent battle with the Sri Lanka Army in Parapakandal, located in the Mannar district. After her death, letter was recovered from her.
The letter reveals the mentality of the female cadre who was recruited forcefully by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to be a cannon fodder in a meaningless battle which has so far killed more than 20,000 LTTE cadres alone.
In one of the letters found on the body of the female cadre reveals that she did not join the LTTE voluntarily. She was forcefully conscripted. She knew very well that she will never be able to leave the grip of the Tamil Tigers. Her yearnings to be reunited with her father, mother, sisters, brothers and others in the family did not materialize.
"When will I be able to get out of this hell? I am not sure whether it might ever happen," she writes with frustration and finality. The letter has been translated verbatim.
31.01.2008
Loving Appa, Amma, Raj ini, Dercy, Gamri, Kuyinsa, Tharakutti, Thambakutti ... I am all right. I pray God that you be blessed. Is Amma well?
There is a rumor here that something has happened at home.
I am crying and shedding tears here. Our handler will send us home if there is a problem at home. But nobody knows whether it would ever happen.
I send a latter to Amma. The person who undertook to deliver the letter promised to bring back a reply from Amma. But so far I have not heard anything from that person.
I already send five letters home. Did you receive them? I will send this letter by hand through Suda teacher's Shanthi (English teacher at Pudukudirippu).
I am now at the rear base of Mullikulam in Mannar. The area is always shelled. We use to run to bunkers for safety. When will I be able to get out of this hell? I am not sure whether it might ever happen.
Amma, Appa, Raj ini and all, I always remember you. Don't unnecessarily waste your time thinking about me and fasting without food. If Amma falls sick seriously, inform me. Then they will arrange to show her to me.
Amma, don't worry about me. I am all right. Can't help. This is the path that God has crated for me I live with the hope that some day or other God Almighty will reunite us.
Appa, I am safe here by the Grace of God that you daily worship. Amma, do they still arrest the family members of deserters? Now they abduct two if there are five in the family.
Amma, please sent away Sarasila to Vavuniya. Otherwise, she will also be abducted.
How is Jagsa? Is uncle writing to you? What is Thuvajara doing? How is Shashi Akka?
Getting my release from here is only a dream, but you must not be moved by that. Let's wait and see whether they will leave me to go home.
I am sorry that my age is passing. What else shall I write?
Dercy, Kawsita, be careful don't be obstinate.
Kara, Kutti, Thambi you also be careful. God bless you.
T. Jenny
Jenny finally finds peace in death, sacrificed for the lost cause of a megalo maniacal culture which has yet to learn to live in harmony with other communities.
The letter reveals the mentality of the female cadre who was recruited forcefully by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to be a cannon fodder in a meaningless battle which has so far killed more than 20,000 LTTE cadres alone.
In one of the letters found on the body of the female cadre reveals that she did not join the LTTE voluntarily. She was forcefully conscripted. She knew very well that she will never be able to leave the grip of the Tamil Tigers. Her yearnings to be reunited with her father, mother, sisters, brothers and others in the family did not materialize.
"When will I be able to get out of this hell? I am not sure whether it might ever happen," she writes with frustration and finality. The letter has been translated verbatim.
31.01.2008
Loving Appa, Amma, Raj ini, Dercy, Gamri, Kuyinsa, Tharakutti, Thambakutti ... I am all right. I pray God that you be blessed. Is Amma well?
There is a rumor here that something has happened at home.
I am crying and shedding tears here. Our handler will send us home if there is a problem at home. But nobody knows whether it would ever happen.
I send a latter to Amma. The person who undertook to deliver the letter promised to bring back a reply from Amma. But so far I have not heard anything from that person.
I already send five letters home. Did you receive them? I will send this letter by hand through Suda teacher's Shanthi (English teacher at Pudukudirippu).
I am now at the rear base of Mullikulam in Mannar. The area is always shelled. We use to run to bunkers for safety. When will I be able to get out of this hell? I am not sure whether it might ever happen.
Amma, Appa, Raj ini and all, I always remember you. Don't unnecessarily waste your time thinking about me and fasting without food. If Amma falls sick seriously, inform me. Then they will arrange to show her to me.
Amma, don't worry about me. I am all right. Can't help. This is the path that God has crated for me I live with the hope that some day or other God Almighty will reunite us.
Appa, I am safe here by the Grace of God that you daily worship. Amma, do they still arrest the family members of deserters? Now they abduct two if there are five in the family.
Amma, please sent away Sarasila to Vavuniya. Otherwise, she will also be abducted.
How is Jagsa? Is uncle writing to you? What is Thuvajara doing? How is Shashi Akka?
Getting my release from here is only a dream, but you must not be moved by that. Let's wait and see whether they will leave me to go home.
I am sorry that my age is passing. What else shall I write?
Dercy, Kawsita, be careful don't be obstinate.
Kara, Kutti, Thambi you also be careful. God bless you.
T. Jenny
Jenny finally finds peace in death, sacrificed for the lost cause of a megalo maniacal culture which has yet to learn to live in harmony with other communities.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sri Lanka: LTTE Must Halt Recruitment of Child Soldiers
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE, have long been known for recruiting children to take up arms in their 22-year independence struggle against the Government of Sri Lanka. With a truce in early 2002, many hoped the illegal conscription of minors as child combatants would cease. In the wake of the tsunami, which devastated Tamil majority areas in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, new reports of abductions and missing children have reaffirmed concerns of international human rights organizations of continued recruitment. (Learn more about the tsunami's effects on Sri Lanka on our Tsunami Crisis Page.)
More: http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/5474
It is evident that no matter what International community says, the Tamil Tigers will not cease their forcible recruitment and deployment of child combatants even on suicide missions. The UN, taken for a ride over a long period of time with stalling tactics by the terrorist organization, is finally starting to show some signs of impatience. These signs of life by the world body largely influenced by interest groups that allegedly benefit from the LTTE's activites, could well end in mere lip service rather than realistic and decisive action that affects the terrorist outfit.
How you can help:
If you love children and consider a moment of your time to call your senator or parliamentary representative to save a child's life a worthy cause, then speak up against inaction by the world bodies against child conscription by the Tamil Tigers and other terrorist organizations. It is your voice that the terrorists fear most of all. The voice of the people of democracies that galvanize powerful nations into meaningful action.
ACT NOW, SAVE THE LIFE OF A CHILD...!!!
More: http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/5474
It is evident that no matter what International community says, the Tamil Tigers will not cease their forcible recruitment and deployment of child combatants even on suicide missions. The UN, taken for a ride over a long period of time with stalling tactics by the terrorist organization, is finally starting to show some signs of impatience. These signs of life by the world body largely influenced by interest groups that allegedly benefit from the LTTE's activites, could well end in mere lip service rather than realistic and decisive action that affects the terrorist outfit.
How you can help:
If you love children and consider a moment of your time to call your senator or parliamentary representative to save a child's life a worthy cause, then speak up against inaction by the world bodies against child conscription by the Tamil Tigers and other terrorist organizations. It is your voice that the terrorists fear most of all. The voice of the people of democracies that galvanize powerful nations into meaningful action.
ACT NOW, SAVE THE LIFE OF A CHILD...!!!
LIVING IN FEAR AND HUMAN RIGHTS
"..My parents refused to give me to the LTTE so about fifteen of them came to my house—it was both men and women, in uniforms, with rifles, and guns in holsters…. I was fast asleep when they came to get me at one in the morning.… These people dragged me out of the house. My father shouted at them, saying, “What is going on?”, but some of the LTTE soldiers took my father away towards the woods and beat him…. They also pushed my mother onto the ground when she tried to stop them.
-girl recruited by the LTTE in 2003 at age sixteen
They took away my younger brother the other day. He was coming home from the market and he was taken away. I went and begged them, saying, “I gave you years of my life and I gave you my health. Please let me have my brother back—he is the only one I have who takes care of me, helps me to go to the toilet, helps me get into bed.” They didn’t release him, and they threatened to shoot if I reported his abduction to any NGOs. They also told me at the same time that I had to re-join. Is this how they thank me for all the time I gave them? Why are they doing this to me?
- girl who was recruited by the LTTE at age sixteen and severely disabled in combat..."
The continuing saga of Tamil Tiger child recruitments is well documented in the following article by HRW...
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/srilanka1104/2.htm
-girl recruited by the LTTE in 2003 at age sixteen
They took away my younger brother the other day. He was coming home from the market and he was taken away. I went and begged them, saying, “I gave you years of my life and I gave you my health. Please let me have my brother back—he is the only one I have who takes care of me, helps me to go to the toilet, helps me get into bed.” They didn’t release him, and they threatened to shoot if I reported his abduction to any NGOs. They also told me at the same time that I had to re-join. Is this how they thank me for all the time I gave them? Why are they doing this to me?
- girl who was recruited by the LTTE at age sixteen and severely disabled in combat..."
The continuing saga of Tamil Tiger child recruitments is well documented in the following article by HRW...
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/srilanka1104/2.htm
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